Ben Griffin lands second PGA Tour title after 'controversial' drop
American Ben Griffin got a lucky break during the final round of the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial Country Club in Texas.
1 | Ben Griffin | -12 |
2 | Matti Schmid | -11 |
3 | Bud Cauley | -9 |
T4 | Tommy Fleetwood | -8 |
T4 | Scottie Scheffler | -8 |
T6 | Aldrich Potgieter | -7 |
T6 | Harry Hall | -7 |
T6 | Ryo Hisatsune | -7 |
T6 | J.J. Spaun | -7 |
T6 | Robert MacIntyre | -7 |
Ben Griffin claimed his second PGA Tour title in 'controversial' circumstances at the Charles Schwab Challenge.
Griffin and Germany's Matti Schmid shared the 54-hole lead on 13-under at Colonial Country Club.
But it was the American who held his nerve on a blustery Sunday in Texas, carding a final round of 1-over 71 to win by one stroke.
World No.1 Scottie Scheffler finished in a tie for fourth in his first start since winning the 2025 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow in North Carolina.
European Ryder Cup hopefuls Tommy Fleetwood and Robert MacIntyre also finished in the top 10.
Griffin's 'controversial' moment arrived on the par-4 14th after he hit his tee shot left of the fairway.
The 29-year-old took line of sight relief from a temporary immovable obstruction (TIO).
Griffin's golf ball came to rest under a large tree and he was unable to make a full swing.
A large Charles Schwab Challenge sign also blocked his route to the green further down the hole.
PGA Tour rules expert Mark Dusbabek explained on the CBS broadcast that Griffin did not need to explain to the on-course official that he planned to try and hit a low chaser towards the pin.
"It's not a judgement call," Dusbabek said.
"It's whether he can get to that [the sign] - if it's in between him and the flag stick that's number one and number two can he get to that structure?
"And that's reasonable for him to play that shot in any way he wants to get to that structure."
Watch the moment here:
Ben Griffin's free relief drop explained in detail by TV Rules and Review Analyst Mark Dusbabek. pic.twitter.com/6vuSzt6e3j
— Golf on CBS (@GolfonCBS) May 25, 2025
This is not the first time this season a PGA Tour pro has had a fortuitous break regarding TIO relief.
The aforementioned Scheffler utilised TIO relief during the Genesis Invitational after his tee shot at Torrey Pines' 12th hole ricocheted off a cart path and ended up near a water cooler box.
Scheffler used TIO relief to drop onto the collar of the 12th tee box and, after further discussion, took a second drop onto a flatter area.
Matt Kuchar also rubbed some fans the wrong way during the 2024 Wyndham Championship.
"This rule should change," one X user wrote.
"Unless the official deems to almost certain you will hit the sign, you have to hit the shot. If you hit the sign you then get a free drop."
Another added: "This a complete shambles."
Griffin went on to make a par on the hole and, despite seeing his lead reduced to one after making a sloppy bogey at the par-3 17th, managed to hold on.
Schmid dropped a shot on the penultimate hole to hand Griffin a two-shot lead going down the last.
The German chipped in for birdie at the 18th to pile the pressure on Griffin but he rolled in a three-foot putt for par to avoid a playoff.
Tears flowed as he embraced his girlfriend Dana Myeroff.
It represents his second PGA Tour title since lifting the Zurich Classic of New Orleans alongside Andrew Novak in April.
Ben joined the GolfMagic team in September 2021, initially as a content executive.
These days, he assumes the position of content manager.
